The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), under the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), serves as the central mechanism within the Secretariat of the United Nations to supply the statistical needs and coordinating activities of the global statistical system. The Division is overseen by the United Nations Statistical Commission, established in 1947, as the apex entity of the global statistical system and highest decision making body for coordinating international statistical activities. It brings together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.
The Division compiles and disseminates global statistical information, develops standards and norms for statistical activities, and supports countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems.
The Division regularly publishes data updates, including the Statistical Yearbook and World Statistics Pocketbook, and books and reports on statistics and statistical methods. Many of the Division's databases are also available at its site (See below), as electronic publications and data files in the form of CD-ROMs, diskettes and magnetic tapes, or as printed publications. UNdata, a new internet-based data service for the global user community brings UN Statistical databases within easy reach of users through a single entry point. Users can search and download a variety of statistical resources of the UN system.
Directors
Including acting directors
| Name | Nationality | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Stefan Schweinfest |  Germany
|
July 1st 2014 - onward |
| Stefan Schweinfest (acting) | Germany
|
April 2013 - June 2014 |
| Paul Cheung |  Singapore
|
2004 - 2012 |
| Willem de Vries (acting) |  The Netherlands
|
2002 - 2004 |
| Hermann Habermann |  USA
|
1994 - 2002 |
| William Seltzer | USA
|
1986 - 1994 |
| Yoshimasa Kurabayashi |  Japan
|
1982 - 1986 |
| Svein Nordbotten |  Norway
|
1979 - 1982 |
| Simon Goldberg |  Canada
|
1972 - 1979 |
| Patrick J. Loftus |  UK
|
1962 - 1972 |
| William R. Leonard | USA
|
1948 - 1962 |
| Harry Campion | UK
|
1947 |
See also
- Classification of the Functions of Government
- International Standard Industrial Classification
- UN M.49
- United Nations geoscheme
- List of national and international statistical services
- United Nations Statistical Commission
- Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities (CCSA)
- United Nations
- United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names